Many do not realize the mountains outside
Leonidio are the legendary home of Dionysos, God of Wine and Commerce.
Many also do not realize that scattered within and outside the town of Leonidio
are unobvious markers of it's ancient past.

The legend is that princess Ino of Thebes, raised her nephew Dionysos in the
Cave of Sintza. Semele had put her son, Dionysos, in a container and threw
it in the sea. The dolphins found the container drifting in the sea and
they pushed the container with the baby Dionysos to shore, the ancient port of
Prasies/Vrasies, today's port of Leonidion. As Dionysos grew up in the
care of Ino, he planted a Fig tree in front of the cave's entrance. It
should be noted here that Leonidio is frequently referred by locals as
Dionysos's Garden.

The monastery, which today is only for women, is accessible by a dirt road
from Leonidio, about an hour and a half on foot or much faster by car. The
monastery of Sintza, which means "Fig tree" is dedicated to Saint
Nikolas. It is found "hanging" on the peak of the formidable
mountains west of the Leonidio plains, in a rough and inaccessible area marked
with deep ravines. Standing in a small courtyard surrounding Saint Nikolas
church, one can admire the plains of Leonidion. The monastery library
includes some rare hand written Bibles adorned with decorations and motives.

To the left is the ancient cave of
Dionysos with the fig tree at it's opening.

Monastery Agios Nikolaos ths Sintzas

Down at Plaka, the port area of
Leonidio, is where the ancient port of Prasies or Vrasies used to
exist. The ancient Greeks of that time came and traded many of
their goods at this port. All that remains are a few ancient walls
and hidden monuments.

On the road towards Plaka from Leonidio

Another Legend regarding
the Monastery Agios Nikolaos tis Sintzas relates to a giant Serpent
which roamed the lands around Leonidio, putting all the people
inhabiting this area in great fear for their lives. It is said
that the horrendous serpent was killed at Plaka by the fishermen of
Spetses, Hydra and Poros. All that remains is a small fossilized tail
end part of the serpent, located at the Monastery
Agios Nikolaos tis Sintzas Leonidion.

An Ancient Bridge found in Agios Andreas with Korakouvouni in the
background.